Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), known as Sea-Tac, is the busiest airport in the state of Washington and one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest.
The airport is located in King County, around 15 miles (25 km) south of Seattle and 25 miles (40 km) north of Tacoma.
It is considered one of the best airports in North America and often receives awards for being the Best Airport on the continent. SEA has a 4-Star Skytrax rating.
In 2024, Sea-Tac handled more than 52 million passengers, a record for the airport. This is more than double its originally planned capacity of 25 million, initiating efforts for expansion, especially in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup.
Major Airlines - Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines dominates Sea-Tac, accounting for nearly half of all passenger traffic. Despite the airline’s name, Alaska State is merely a part of its continental network, whereas Seattle, Washington, is both its headquarters and largest hub. Alaska Airlines flies to more than 100 destinations from Seattle.
SEA is also a hub for Delta Air Lines, which is the second-largest airline at the airport with about 20% of the market share. Delta operates direct flights to more than 60 destinations.
United Airlines, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines also serve SEA with flights to most of their major hubs in the USA.
Of the non-US, North American carriers with flights to/from Seattle-Tacoma, two stand out: Aeroméxico and Air Canada.
Other foreign carriers include Aer Lingus, Air France, All Nippon Airways, British Airways, China Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines, among others.
Top domestic flows include Anchorage, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Denver, while international leaders are Vancouver, London-Heathrow, Seoul, Taipei, and Paris.
In total, SEA supports routes to 96 domestic and 37 international destinations via more than 35 airlines, covering North America, Asia, and Europe.
See a list of all airlines here.
Terminal Layout and Gates
SEA has one central terminal with four concourses (A through D) and two satellite terminals (North and South). The latter are accessible only via the automated SEA Underground train.
Concourse A: Has 16 gates and is used chiefly by Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue, and some international carriers.
Concourse B: Has 17 gates and is used by Aer Lingus, Frontier, and Southwest Airlines.
Concourse C: Contains 27 gates, and Alaska Airlines is the sole airline using it.
Concourse D: Has 17 gates and is used by Alaska and American.
North Satellite: Features 20 gates exclusively used by Alaska Airlines.
South Satellite: Receives all non-precleared international flights and is the departure point for most international carriers. Also serves flights by Delta and Hawaiian. Has 14 gates.
The SEA Underground’s tunnel system includes three color-coded lines:
Green Line: Main Terminal (near Concourse D) to Concourse C to North Satellite.
Blue Line: Main Terminal (Concourse A) to Concourse B to South Satellite.
Yellow Line: Connects the north and south loops via the main terminal.
See all destinations you can reach by a direct flight from Sea-Tac.
Connecting Flights and Transit at SEA
Although split into concourses and satellites, Seattle-Tacoma’s single terminal structure simplifies connections. The SEA Underground connects all concourses and satellites within the secure zone (airside), so in most cases, there is no need to re-clear Security.
Note that all international arrivals, except those from airports with US pre-clearance that are treated as domestic, must claim and re-check their luggage and complete US arrival procedures even if continuing on a flight with the same airline. This is standard for all airports in the USA.
Domestic-to-domestic connections should allow at least 60 minutes. Those with international flights (either arriving or departing) should allow a minimum of 90 minutes.
Security performance at SEA is excellent: statistics show that 94% of passengers cleared screening within 30 minutes.
If you have a longer layover, you can jump off to the city and explore some of the best things to do in Seattle.
WiFi at Sea-Tac
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout all concourses and in the central terminal, without registration. To connect, select the airport’s Wi-Fi network, accept the terms and conditions on the splash page, and browse without limits.
Dining Options at Seattle-Tacoma Airport
SEA has over 100 dining venues, so you’re pretty much guaranteed to find something to match your taste or cravings. New food and retail concepts launch every year, too.
Options range from casual establishments serving local food to fast food chains to fine dining. Most are located airside, i.e., after the Security checkpoints.
Some of the noteworthy dining places at Sea-Tac include:
Lucky Louie Fish Shack: Alaskan fish specialties in the Central Terminal.
Evergreens: Healthy salads and bowls. Also in the Central Terminal.
Africa Lounge: Savour interesting African foods in a restaurant you won’t usually find in American airports. Find it in Concourse A.
Floret: For the vegans and vegetarians out there. Located next to the Delta lounge in Concourse A.
Mi Casa Cantina: Tex-Mex cuisine in Concourse B.
Hachi-ko: Serves quick Asian dishes. Located in Concourse C.
Ballard Brew Hall: Craft beers, fun cocktails, and a brunch menu. Find it in Concourse D.
Greedy Cow Burgers: Perhaps the best burger place at SEA. Located in the South Satellite building.
Lil Woody’s: One of the newest restaurants at Sea-Tac is this diner serving American breakfasts, milkshakes, burgers, and cocktails. Located in the North Terminal Building.
For coffee, check out Peet’s Coffee near Gate S9, Dilletante Mocha Cafe in the Central Terminal, or one of the 7 Starbucks outlets throughout the airport - it’s the famous coffee chain’s birthplace after all!
Lounges in SEA
Seattle Airport has a total of 12 lounges, most of which belong to specific airlines.
As the dominant carrier at the airport, Alaska Airlines operates 3 lounges:
Alaska Lounge in Concourse C, near gate C16A. Open from 5 AM to 7 PM.
Alaska Lounge in Concourse D, near Gate D1. Open from 5 AM to 11 PM.
Alaska Lounge in the North Satellite Terminal, near gate N15. Open from 5 AM until 11 PM.
All 3 lounges welcome eligible members as well as anybody willing to pay the $65 day pass fee.
Delta Air Lines also operates 2 Sky Clubs in Concourse A: one near Gate A1 and one near Gate A11. These are available only to eligible premium flyers.
Additionally, the Delta One Lounge opened in June 2025. It is a massive two-story, luxury space with panoramic views, an open-air terrace, omakase-style dining, and craft cocktails. The premium lounge is open from 08:30 to 20:00 to eligible passengers of Delta Air Lines.
United Airlines’ United Club is located in Concourse A, near gate A9. Unlike Delta’s, it welcomes both passengers flying with the airline as well as others, for a fee of $59.
British Airways Terraces Lounge is in the South Satellite Terminal, near gate S10. It’s open daily from 9 AM to 8 PM.
Two independent lounges of the brand “The Club at SEA” are located near Gate A12 and near Gate S8, respectively. Both are open from 5 AM until midnight and cost $50 to enter. They accept Priority Pass, too.
Lastly, the USO Lounge is situated in the Mezzanine Area, above the Southwest Airlines’ counter, before Security. It welcomes active U.S. military and their families, providing lots of amenities, comfort for adults, and fun for the kids.
Things to do at Sea-Tac
Having a few hours layover between flights at SEA, or just arriving a bit too early for your flight? This is no cause for concern and will absolutely not bore you!
The airport has a strong focus on the arts and showcases works of famous local artists.
There is live music every day at some point (usually between 10 AM and 1 PM) in the terminal, performed by local musicians from the Northwest. Local artists also do some of the airport announcements.
If you’re more into the visual arts, then do an impromptu art hunt throughout the airport. There are over 100 art pieces scattered throughout the public areas.
Reading is also an option. Visit one of the two “Little Free Libraries” to drop off or pick up a book for free. The one next to the playground near Gate A1 has many children's books, while the one across from Gate A3 is of general interest.
Talking of playgrounds, the dedicated playing area is located between the Central Terminal and Concourse A.
Transportation options at Seattle-Tacoma Airport
The Link Light Rail's 1 Line is the easiest and cheapest way to get to major areas of Seattle. It provides direct service between the airport and downtown Seattle.
The journey takes around 25 minutes to downtown with trains every 7 to 15 minutes. A single ticket costs $3 per ride (free for those under 18 years of age). The light rail operates from 5 AM until 1 AM every day except Sundays, when the working hours are between 6 AM and midnight.
To reach the Light Rail Station at the airport, use the bridge from the parking garage, which you can get to from the fourth level of the Central Terminal. Follow the signs to “Link Light Rail”.
Two bus operators serve the airport:
- King County Metro Bus: The bus station is on International Boulevard next to the light rail station. Routes include:
Route 180 to Burien/Auburn)
Route 156 to Southcenter/Des Moines
Rapid Ride A line to Federal Way.
- Sound Transit Bus: Express buses operate from the lower drive of the Central Terminal at the south end.
Route 574 goes through Federal Way, Tacoma, and terminates at Lakewood
Route 560 serves Bellevue, Burien, and Renton.
Payment is in cash inside the bus cash box (no change given), by ORCA card, or by a payment app like Google Pay (not all are universally accepted).
For private transport, taxis can be taken from level 3 of the parking garage. The rate to downtown Seattle is a flat $40.
Similarly, ride-shares like Uber, Lyft, and Wingz have pick-up locations at the Ground Transport Plaza on level 3 of the parking garage.
The Rental Car Center is connected to the airport via a complimentary shuttle, which operates 24/7 from doors 02 and 24. See the best car rental deals.
Lastly, several other bus and shared van services run to and from SEA, including Shuttle Express, Airporter, and others. These can be a practical option if staying near central hotels. You can see more information about private transfers from Sea-Tac here.
Parking at SEA
SEA offers a large central parking garage with over 12000 parking spots. Level 4 of it is connected via Skybridges to the terminal.
Unlike most other airports, the long-term parking lot at SEA is not far from the terminal, nor does it require a shuttle to reach. Instead, it is available in the same parking lot, on all levels except Level 4.
The price to park on Level 4 (the most convenient) is $10 per hour up to a daily maximum of $47. Note that this level has recently changed to a reservation-only parking (no longer called Terminal Direct).
The price for parking on all other levels (1-3 and 5-8) of the central parking garage is $8 per hour, $37 per day, or $222 per week.
Electric vehicle charging spaces are available on Levels 4 and 5.
If you need to wait for family or friends to land before you pick them up, the Cell Phone Waiting Lot is the best option. It is located across from the S. 170th Street exit of the Airport Expressway, and is free for up to 20 minutes as long as the driver remains inside the vehicle.
Hotels near Seattle-Tacoma Airport
Although SEA has no on-site airport hotel, there are several nearby lodging options, concentrated in Tukwila or Seattle. Many offer shuttle service or are accessible via Link Light Rail.
Some of the closest hotels to the Central Terminal include the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center, Coast Gateway Hotel, and Radisson Hotel Seattle Airport, all just half a mile away, offering a complimentary shuttle transport, and with a 3-star rating.
There aren’t many 4-star hotels in the vicinity, but DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport and Cedarbrook Lodge, both around a mile from the terminal, stand out for their exceptional service, making for a comfortable layover or early morning flight stay.
Seattle, WA, USA
